I expected a mere fairy tale about a girl that could infuse her baked goods with emotions for those that eat tMagic Bitter, Magic Sweet surprised me.

I expected a mere fairy tale about a girl that could infuse her baked goods with emotions for those that eat them. Instead I found a deeply complex story that wasn't afraid to go dark in order to get to the light.

Maire doesn't remember who she is but has made herself a new life in a small village with new friends. When their village is attacked, she sees many die brutally and is among many sold as slaves.

While Maire tries to come to grips with her new cruel reality, she is occasionally visited by someone ephemeral and familiar in some way. He helps guide her gently through her returning memories so that she will be strong enough to understand the whole picture.

First, may I be the first to say that I love the format of a Choose your own Adventure story. I remember them fondly. I will be re-reading them when tFirst, may I be the first to say that I love the format of a Choose your own Adventure story. I remember them fondly. I will be re-reading them when the kiddos are old enough for them.

So I was really excited to see if this was aimed at a slightly lower age bracket than those fantastic books that took up all my fingers saving the spots where I made a decision I wanted to come back to.

While this looks like it might be for a younger age range, I'd stick this one within the same arena as the originals. Each adventure has darker themes of government control, parents trying to save their children, children being caught and sent to their demise, some violence to the bad wolves throughout the stories. Only one story in each of the 3 basic stories has only one that ends OK. Overall I felt it a bit dark unless they are middle grade. Even then, I prefer the originals.

Thank you Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review....more

This collection of fairy tales was only average for me. The illustrations were good, but nothing outstanding. Each story was short and told in only inThis collection of fairy tales was only average for me. The illustrations were good, but nothing outstanding. Each story was short and told in only in a few pages.

Overall, the stories were an odd collection to me. A couple were new to me, but they weren't anything to get excited about. Some of the stories ended abruptly without a "moral of the story" explanation.

Little red riding hood's woodcutter "With one blow of his ax, he cut off its head." Which could be too much for very young readers -- use your own judgement.

The Princess and the Pea did have the new twist of the Queen being happy that the princess dealt with the pea issue herself rather than cry and moan about it all night (showing that she was more practical than most princesses).

The Ugly Duckling stops as he looks into the pool. There was no sum up, which would have been nice.

Of Eggs and Kings would most certainly go over a young child's head, even with an explanation.

The Emperor's New Clothes ended with the child asking his famous question. This was another one that could have used a summing up for children.

Hidden Treasure was a new one for me about a man called Isaac who repeatedly dreams about finding a treasure under a bridge in another town. When he gets there, he talks with a man who laughs at his quest and said he had dreamed of a treasure under the hearth in a man named Isaac's house. Isaac goes home and finds the treasure was with him all along.

The story of a Lion and a Tiger arguing over something trivial and have to learn that friendship is more important than being right. However, the moral was not expressed this clearly. Instead it just said that while other things changed, friendship shouldn't change.

A Hare hears a thump and gets everyone scared as he runs away. They are chagrined to find it was merely a mango that fell from a tree. It ends with everyone just saying, "oh" instead of making a learning statement from it.

There were some others but perhaps that gives you an idea of what you'll get.

Thank you Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review....more

This review is short and to the point. Though this book is a lot of history and commentary, it felt more like an engaging college class instead of a bThis review is short and to the point. Though this book is a lot of history and commentary, it felt more like an engaging college class instead of a boring lecture. However, nothing really stuck with me. I did fall in love with the cover.

What a fun read. This is the story of Sleeping Beauty's daughter Aurora and the trials she goes through as a childI received a digital ARC for review.

What a fun read. This is the story of Sleeping Beauty's daughter Aurora and the trials she goes through as a child. Gifted as a child with special abilities via fey magic, she kicks butt against all types of foes. However, the blessing she received, as always, has a downside curse.

She desperately needs help to save her brother and the kingdom. Her only help comes in the form of Niklaas. They are both stubborn, determined, and foolish in their own ways as they grow and learn throughout their journey.

I love re-tellings/spin-offs, tough girls, and falling in love with great characters. This book also is told from both characters' point of view, which is something I always love.

I agree with another reviewer: Niklaas didn't have to be so "god-like" in beauty and have that emphasized so much.

However, kudos to the author for making this "player" reveal his depth as the reader adventures along with the two of them. Their romantic tension was a lot of fun....more

6 retellings of Rumplestiltskin -- each one finally answering questions as to how that story could ever happen! (Like why did he spin the gold for a g6 retellings of Rumplestiltskin -- each one finally answering questions as to how that story could ever happen! (Like why did he spin the gold for a gold ring/necklace? etc). Told from several POVs and with a lot of imagination. Great short read!...more

There's something about this retelling for me. It was dark, wistful, and sad. The dance of characters begins and pulls them each to the inevitable conThere's something about this retelling for me. It was dark, wistful, and sad. The dance of characters begins and pulls them each to the inevitable conclusion.

The book starts out with Mary Davies, raised by women in her parents' employ. Those most dear to her regale her with stories. Her family moves to Haiti and she finds the Haitian women employed by her parents have a different flavor of stories.

Much of the book is revealed through the thoughts of Father Smye. He is a kind-hearted man caught in the nightmare that is Neverland. He ends up on Captain Hauke's ship that is detouring to attempt find the kidnapped Mary Davies. While the story swirls around, Smye is the anchor we come back to in the mysteries of Neverland.

You will slowly learn what dark circumstances brought Pan, Belle, the lost boys, and all the "Windies" to Neverland.

Pan is definitely on the dark side of the scale, yet forgetful and childlike in his play and tantrums. He can be vicious and impulsive.

The lost boys follow Pan's lead each day, whether they like him or not, because they fear his wrath. For a boy who hates rules, he has quite a few of his own.

Captain Hauke slowly loses himself and transforms throughout the book from naval captain into...something else.

Belle is a dark and complicated character. She's sinister, a bit unhinged, petulant, and nowhere near innocent. I kept imagining her as a very young Helena Bonham Carter with her Bellatrix LeStrange crazy eyes. Imagine that wrapped up in Victorian goth tattered clothing.

From the lower room came Belle, her tattered clothes dragging along the cave floor. She was licking her fingers. At the same time she sang a little tune; Cry, baby Bunting, Mummy's gone a-hunting, Gone to get a bloody skin to wrap the baby Bunting in...

"Why did you take Mary away?" Pan Demanded.

"She's ugly, like a little piggy," Belle said, slowly twirling around in front of Pan dancing to unheard music.

The pirates are no match for the girls of the sea that come out at night.

Each day in Neverland brings new dangers and fewer remaining crew members. Each day as the men beg Hauke to leave the island, he comes up with more excuses to stay. He is destined to be Pan's nemesis.

An enjoyable retelling. Some characters are immediately recognizable and some become clear only later....more